Dynamic alignment aid for use on golf club grips

ABSTRACT

A flexible elastomeric grip for a golf club having indicators on the upper face which indicate visibly to the user when the angle of lie is less than, greater than, and optimum when the user grips the club and addresses the ball. The indicator on its end cap indicates visibly to the user when the angle of lean is neutral or left or right of neutral by at least five degrees (5°). The visible indicator may be either by a changing holographic image or reflective coating. Another version provides a combined angle of lean and angle of lie indicator in an end cap on a flexible grip.

BACKGROUND

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/053,924 filed Aug. 3, 2018.

The present disclosure relates to flexible grips employed on the shaft of a golf club. Such grips are typically molded of elastomeric material and have employed various shapes and surface textures for facilitating gripping by the user. However, one of the more important aspects of the use of a golf club is the manner and position in which the user addresses the golf ball with the club prior to initiating the backswing. If the club is not properly positioned for a given club blade or head, the position of the user's hands on the club will initiate a poorly executed backswing and thus a less than optimum swing path. All users exhibit personal tendencies at the address position which can place them at a disadvantage due to poor hand position. Furthermore, the inability to achieve a consistent address position leads to variability in the swing that results in improper impact of the club head or blade with the ball resulting in an undesired trajectory of the golf ball.

It has been found that two of the important factors in producing a proper and consistent backswing are the angles of lie and angle of lean of the club upon the golf club being addressed by the user prior to the backswing. The angle of lie is that measured between the club shaft and the horizontal; and, the angle of lean is measured as the lateral angular left or right deviation from an equal angular optimum position of the user's wrists as the club is gripped and the ball addressed. Therefore, it has long been desired to find a way or means of indicating to the user that they have addressed the ball with the club at the optimum angles of lie and lean and in a consistent manner so as to initiate a backswing which will result in a highly repeatable downswing producing the desired ball path as it is related to the players stance and target line for the ball upon impact by the club.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a solution to the above-described problem of indicating to the user the angle of lie and the angle of lean of the club shaft upon the user addressing the ball with the club prior to initiating the backswing. In one version, the present disclosure provides a flexible grip having an indicator on the upper surface of the grip so as to provide a visible indication to the user, after gripping the club and addressing the ball, of the angle of lie of the club shaft. The angle of lie indicator provides a moving image or region of reflection which changes as the angle of lie of the club shaft is varied by the user. If the angle of lie is less than optimum, the user will see a certain image or reflection. If the angle of lie is optimum, the user will see one of a different image or reflection either of which may be in a different location; and, if the angle of lie is greater than optimum, the user will see another image or reflection either of which may be different from the lesser angle of lie image and in a different location on the grip.

In one version of the lie indicator of the present disclosure, the visible indications to the user may be provided by an insert displaying different holographic images for the different positions of the angle of lie of the club shaft. These holographic images may include moving graphical images, changes in color of the image or different images for different values of angle of lie.

In another version of the indicator of the lie indication present disclosure, a reflective coating, which may be painted on, is provided on the upper surface of the grip in a manner visible to the user, after gripping the club and addressing the golf ball, in which the paint is reflective in different positions or locations thereon, or in different colors as the angle of lie is varied by the user.

The grip of the present disclosure may have an end cap and in another version, the lean indicator comprises an insert on the end cap of the flexible grip, with visible images which change to indicate the optimum and left and right deviation from optimum of the angle of lean upon the user gripping the club and addressing the ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a flexible grip is shown on the shaft of a golf club with a holographic insert displaying an image in a position indicating the optimum angle of lie of the club shaft;

FIG. 2 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, showing the position of holographic image on the indicator for the condition in which the angle of lie of the club shaft is greater than optimum;

FIG. 3 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, showing the position of the holographic image on the indicator for the condition in which the angle of lie of the club shaft is less than optimum;

FIG. 4 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, showing another version of the indicator as positioned on a grip for a golf club shaft;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the indicator of FIG. 4, showing in solid line, the position of the holographic image when the club shaft has been addressed at greater than optimum and in dashed line when the club shaft has been moved to a less than optimum angle of lie;

FIG. 6 is a view, similar to FIG. 5, showing the indicator as displaying a moving bar graphical image which moves progressively to show the angle of lie with the optimum displayed as a minimum bar graphical position;

FIG. 7 is a view of the indicator of FIG. 4, showing a version in which the graphical image includes a text visible in solid line in one position when the angle of lie is greater than optimum, and in dashed line in another position when the angle of lie is less than the optimum.

FIG. 8 is a view of another version of the angle of lie indicator employing a reflective coating;

FIG. 9 is a view from a user's perspective for a version employing an angle of lean indicator in the end cap showing the image when the angle of lean is neutral;

FIG. 10 is a view, similar to FIG. 9, showing its image when the angle of lean in a positive direction from neutral;

FIG. 11 is a view, similar to FIG. 9, showing the image when the angle of lean is in the negative direction from neutral;

FIG. 12 is a view, similar to FIG. 9, of another version of an angle of lean indicator showing an image centered when the angle of lean is neutral;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 9, showing the image moved to the left of center when the angle of lean is in a positive direction from neutral;

FIG. 14 is a view, similar to FIG. 9, showing the image move to right of center when the angle of lean is in the negative direction;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another version of the grip having a combination indicator indicating both angle of lean and angle of lie;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the indicator of FIG. 15 in the neutral angle of lean and neutral angle of lie positions;

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16 showing the indicator with the club shaft having a positive angle of lie and a positive angle of lean to the right;

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 16 showing the indicator with the club having a negative angle of lean to the left and a negative angle of lie.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a flexible grip of the present disclosure is indicated generally at 10 and is shown disposed on the end of a golf club shaft 12 and has an upper surface 14 and a lower surface 16. It will be understood that the upper surface 14 is oriented on the club shaft 12 so that the upper surface 14 is facing in the direction of the club head or blade so as to be clearly visible to the user upon gripping the club and addressing the golf ball. In the present practice, it is desirable to orient the upper surface 14 substantially perpendicular to the face of the club head. In the version 10, the grip is equipped with an end cap 18 which may be formed of a stiffer or more rigid elastomeric or plastic material than the flexible grip 10.

An indicator, denoted generally at 20, is provided on the upper surface 14 of the grip and located proximate end cap 18 so as to remain visible to the user when the user has gripped the flexible grip 10 for gripping the club and addressing the golf ball. The indicator 20 in the present practice may be either of the type employing an insert having a holographic image disposed therein, or the indicator may comprise a surface coating having different reflective properties so as to provide a difference visible image to the user dependent upon the angle of lie denoted alpha (α). In the version shown an FIGS. 1-3 the indicator is of a type having a holographic image; and, as shown in FIG. 1, the image 22 is visible in a centrally located position on indicator 20 when the angle alpha (α) is at the optimum shown as seventy-one degrees (71°). Angle alpha (α) may have other values for optimum depending may upon the type of club being employed.

With reference to FIG. 2, the holographic image 22 is shown as having moved upwardly in the indicator 20 to a position closer to the end cap 18 when the angle alpha is greater than optimum by at least a predetermined amount, which in the present practice is at least two degrees (2°) as indicated in FIG. 2 where the alpha (α) is seventy-three degrees(73°). Thus, in the present practice, the indicator 20 will cause the image to move to the upper position when the user has gripped the club and addressed the golf ball so that the angle alpha (α) is increased two degrees (2°) from the optimum.

Referring to FIG. 3, the holographic image 22 is shown in a position further from the end cap 22 than the neutral portion of FIG. 1 which represents an angle alpha (α) for the club shaft 12 less than the optimum by a predetermined amount which in the present practice is an angle of two degrees (2°). Thus, FIG. 3 shows the position of the image 22 when the club shaft has been gripped by user and addressed the golf ball at angle of lie of sixty-nine degrees (69°).

Referring to FIG. 4, another version of the present disclosure, indicated generally at 30, includes a flexible grip of elastomeric material having an upper surface 32 and a lower surface 34 and is shown as received on shaft 36 of a golf club with the upper surface 32 oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the face of the club head or blade. The club shaft 36 is shown inclined to the horizontal by a lie angle indicated by the designation alpha (α). The angle of lie indicator is indicated generally at 39 and is disposed on the surface 32 proximate the upper end of the grip which is shown as having an end cap 38.

Referring to FIG. 5, one version of the indicator denoted generally at 41, is shown wherein the image 42, shown in solid line, appears to the user in an upper region of the indicator 41 when the angle alpha (α) is greater than optimum; and, image 42 as shown in dashed line, is moved to a new location lower on the indicator 41 when the alpha is less than optimum. When the angle of lie alpha (α) is optimum, the image 42 is visible in both locations. Alternatively, the image 42 may be displayed visible to the user in a central position of the indicator when the angle of lie alpha (α) is at the optimum angle.

Referring to FIG. 6, another version of the indicator, denoted generally at 40, is illustrated wherein a series of graphical indicators such as the bars 44 progressively move to different positions and have changing bar lengths on the indicator. In the version of FIG. 6, the bars 44 are displayed positioned in the upper portion of the indicator with the maximum length when the angle of lie is greater than the optimum; and, as the angle alpha (α) decreases, and is closer to the optimum, the length of the bars 44 decreases and move toward the center of the indicator 40. When the angle alpha (α) is at the optimum, the bars 44 are shown as having the shortest length and in a central position of the indicator 40. As the angle of lie alpha (α) decreases to less than optimum, the bars appear to the right side of central position, or the lower portion of the indicator 40, and increase in length as the angle of lie is further decreased. Thus, in the version of FIG. 6, the user sees a moving bar graph as the angle of lie alpha (α) changes from the user moving the club shaft.

Referring to FIG. 7, another version of the indicator, denoted generally at 43, is the image 46 which comprises text visible in solid line in the upper region of the indicator 43 when the angle of lie alpha (α) is greater than optimum. The image 46 appears as shown in dashed line in the lower region of the indicator 43 when the angle of lower alpha (α) is less than the optimum by a predetermined amount, for example, two degrees (2°) less. If desired, the holographic images may be of the type that change colors when the angle of lie alpha changes by the predetermined amount. When the angle of lie alpha (α) is at optimum, both of the images 46, shown in solid and dashed line, will be visible to the user.

Referring to FIG. 8, an alternate version of the indicator 20, 40 is illustrated wherein a coating of reflective material is employed with certain regions thereof each having distinct reflective properties. In the FIG. 8 version, the upper third of the indicator denoted 50 is coated with reflective material giving a dark appearance and is indicative of the angle of lie alpha (α) being greater than optimum by a predetermined amount, such, as for example five degrees (5°). When the angle of lie alpha of a club shaft is at an optimum, the user sees the indicator reflected light as is shown in central region 52 of the indicator in FIG. 8, which is shown lighter in shade and may be of a different color than the image 50. When the angle of lie alpha (α) for the club shaft is less than the optimum by the predetermined amount, the user sees the lower region 54 of the indicator as reflecting light in a lighter appearance and may be of another different color.

In the present practice it has been found satisfactory to provide the indicator of FIG. 8 with a coating having embedded therein reflective particles of different reflective characteristics each of the region 50, 52, 54.

In the present practice it has been found satisfactory to form the coating with paint comprising a clear paint having multilayered flakes dispersed therein. In the present practice, the coating may combine reflective flakes in multiple layers that provides the ability for the surface to appear to change color when viewed from different angles.

Referring to FIG. 9, another version of the grip of the present disclosure is indicated generally at 60 having an end cap 62 attached to the upper end of the grip with an insert with an indicator which is indicated generally at 64 of the type presenting a holographic image to the user of the club wherein the image visible to the user is varied and depends on the lateral or left-right inclination of the club from a neutral position upon the user gripping the club and possessing the golf ball. As described above, the lateral angle of inclination is referred to as the angle of lean. As discussed hereinabove, it is designed to maintain the club angle of lean in a neutral position as the user grips the club and addresses the ball prior to initiating a backswing. With reference to FIG. 9, the holographic image visible to the user such as the text letter “G” is displayed in the position left of center as denoted by reference numeral 66 and a second text letter such as “P” indicated by the reference numeral 68, displayed in the position to the right of center, are both visible to the user simultaneously as an indication that the club shaft is in the neutral position. In the present practice, it has been found satisfactory to have both text characters 66 and 68 visible when the club shaft is inclined with less than five degrees (5°) inclination either side of the neutral position.

Referring to FIG. 10, the indicator 65 is shown with the club shaft having an angle of lean of positive five degrees (5°) representative of the grip being located to the left of the neutral position of FIG. 9. In the position of the grip 60 in FIG. 10, with a positive angle of lean of at least five degrees (5°), the indicator 64 displays to the user the visible character 66 in the location left of center of a indicator with the text image 68 being invisible to the user.

Referring to FIG. 11, the indicator 64 displays to the user the holographic image of the character 68 to the right of the center of the indicator 64 for the angle of lean at address to have a value of at least negative five degrees (−5°); and, the left hand text character 66 remains invisible to the user. The angle of lean (FIG. 11) represents the end the grip 60 moved to the right of the neutral position by at least five degrees (5°).

Referring to FIG. 12, another version of the grip of the present disclosure is indicated generally at 70 and is shown attached to the shaft 72 of a golf club. The grip has an end cap 74 on the upper end thereof which cap has an angle of lean indicator 76 disposed on the upper face thereof indicated generally at 76. With reference to FIG. 12, the indicator 76 displays a holographic image 78 located in the center of insert 76 thereby indicating that the club shaft is in the neutral or centered position.

Referring to FIG. 13, the holographic image of the indicator 76 has moved to a position left of the center of indicator to be visible to the user indicating that the angle of lean is positive by an amount of at least five degrees (5°).

Referring to FIG. 14, the holographic image of the indicator 76 has moved to a position right of the center of indicator, indicating to the user visibly that the angle of lean of the club shaft is at least five degrees (5°) to the right.

If desired, the holographic image may employ characters of different colors or a different colored background changing as the angle of lie or lean changes.

Referring to FIG. 15, another embodiment of the flexible grip of the present disclosure is indicated generally at 80 and is illustrated as received onto a shaft 81 of a golf club. The grip 80 has an insert 82 disposed in the upper or butt end thereof; and, the grip may include an end cap 84 with the insert received in the end cap. The insert includes an indicator which provides visible images to the user, upon gripping the club and addressing the golf ball with the club, of deviations in both the angle of lean and the angle of lie. In the present practice, it has been convenient to employ holographic images in the indicator 82. The indicator 82 provides an image 86 which is movable in response to deviations in both the angle of lie and angle of lean as will hereinafter be described. For clarity of reference, the line A-A indicates the direction of movement of the club shaft and grip to vary the angle of lie. Thus, it will be understood that variations in the angle of lean are in a direction perpendicular to the line A-A as indicated by the curve line with arrows denoted 85 in FIG. 15. Movement of the grip in a leftward direction from neutral is indicated as a positive deviation in the angle of lean whereas movement in the rightward direction is indicated a negative deviation in the angle of lean. Similarly, deviation of the angle of lie from a neutral position in an upward direction is denoted as positive deviation in the angle of lie and movement in a downward direction is indicated as a negative deviation in the angle of lie as shown by the curved line 87 in FIG. 15. For reference, the direction of the target line or path of the ball is indicated by the dashed line denoted TL in FIG. 15.

Referring to FIG. 16, the position of the user visible image 86 on indicator 82 is indicated centered on the line A-A thereon and centered with respect to movement at right angles to the line A-A.

Referring to FIG. 17, the user visible image has moved to the upper righthand quadrant of the indicator 82 and, in this position, indicates positive deviation in the angle of lie and a negative deviation in the angle of lean.

Referring to FIG. 18, the user visible image 86 is shown in the position in the lower lefthand quadrant of the indicator in which position the indicator shows that the deviation of the angle of lean is positive and the deviation of lie is negative. It will be understood that if the user visible image is in an unshown position in the upper lefthand quadrant of the indicator 82, that such a position would indicate to the user that the angle of lean is positive and the angle of lie is positive. It will further be understood that if the unshown visible image 86 is in the lower righthand quadrant of the indicator 82, the image would indicate to the user that the angle of lean is negative and that the angle of lie is negative.

The present disclosure describes a flexible grip for golf club having an indicator on the upper face of the grip facing the club head or blade, which visibly indicates to the user upon gripping the club and addressing the ball, whether the angle of lie is in the optimum position or less than or greater than the optimum. The angle of lie indicator may employ a holographic image or reflective material in a coating provided on the upper face of the grip. In another version, an angle of lean indicator is provided on the end cap of the grip. The angle of lean indicator utilizes the holographic image to indicate whether the cap end of the grip is in the neutral position or whether the club shaft is leaning left or right of the neutral. In another version, a combinations indicator is provided on the end cap which indicates to the user deviations from neutral for both the angle of lie and angle of lean. 

1. (canceled)
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. The grip of claim 14, wherein the first, second, and third images include different graphic designs.
 5. The grip of claim 14, wherein the first, second, and third images are of different colors.
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled)
 11. (canceled)
 12. A flexible grip for a golf club shaft comprising: (a) a tubular member formed of elastomeric material with a substantially closed end and an open end configured for being received over the shaft of the club and having an upper side substantially perpendicular to the face of the blade/head of the club upon being received on the shaft of the club and a lower side opposite the lower side; and (b) an insert disposed on the substantially closed end, the insert having a first distinct region displaying a first distinct user visible image when the user has addressed the club an angle of lie less than optimum and a second distinct region displaying an image when the user has addressed the club in at an angle of lie greater than optimum, wherein both first and second distinct user visible images are displayed when the user has addressed the club at an optimum angle of lie.
 13. The flexible grip of claim 12, wherein the image is displayed in the first and second distinct regions when the angle of lie differs from the optimum angle of lie by at least two degrees (2°).
 14. A flexible grip for a golf club shaft comprising: (a) a tubular member formed of elastomeric material with a substantially closed end and an open end configured for being received over the shaft of a golf club and having an upper side substantially perpendicular to the face of the blade/head of the club upon being received on the shaft of the club and a lower side opposite the upper side; and (b) an insert disposed on the substantially closed end, the insert having a user visible image graphically displaying progressive changes in the angle of lie and the angle of lean of the club shaft wherein the image indicates graphically when the respective one of the angle of lie and the angle of lean is optimum, less than optimum, and greater than optimum.
 15. The grip of claim 14, wherein the image displays graphically the amount the angle of lie is less than or greater than optimum.
 16. A flexible grip for a golf club shaft comprising: (a) a tubular member formed of elastomeric material with a substantially closed end and an open end configured for being received over the shaft of the club; and (b) an insert disposed on the substantially closed end, the insert displaying a first user visible image when the user has addressed the club at an optimum angle of lie and lean and a second user visible image different from the first user visible image when one of the angle of lean and angle of lie is greater than optimum and a third user visible image different from the first and second user visible image when one of the angle of lean and angle of lie is less than optimum.
 17. The flexible grip of claim 16, wherein the substantially closed end includes an end cap and the insert is disposed in the end cap.
 18. The flexible grip of claim 16, wherein the first, second, and third user visible images comprise a common image movable in a plurality of directions.
 19. The flexible grip of claim 16, wherein the first, second, and third user visible images comprise a common image movable in a horizontal and a vertical direction.
 20. The flexible grip of claim 14, wherein the image indicates graphically when the angle of lean and the angle of lie are optimum, less than optimum, and greater than optimum.
 21. The flexible grip of claim 14, wherein the visible image comprises a holographic image. 